There is a silent epidemic in our country that too few people are talking about.

And if you haven’t heard about it yet, you need the facts.

Known as metabolic syndrome, it’s actually a cluster of symptoms including high blood pressure and blood sugar, abdominal obesity and abnormal levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.

And once any of the symptoms gets supercharged, your health can go south fast.

Now though, Brazilian researchers believe they have found a potent weapon in the fight against metabolic syndrome — an Amazonian fruit with a mouth-puckering taste that could put a halt to drivers of the condition.

Here’s what they found…

The secret’s in the phenolic compounds and fiber

The fruit is known as the Jaboticaba berry, which is native to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and is usually thrown away because the tannins in it make it too sour to eat.

However, the fruit is also rich in two things that make it a potential health powerhouse: phenolic compounds and dietary fiber.

So those Brazilian researchers decided to pit the fruit against metabolic syndrome, and as it turns out, they got more than they ever hoped for.

After dividing 49 patients with metabolic syndrome and obesity into two groups — one where participants took jaboticaba peel powder for five weeks, while the other group took a placebo — there was a clear winner…

“The main benefits of taking the supplement were lower post-prandial glycemia (blood sugar after meals) and less inflammation,” said lead author and professor, Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior.

“Blood sugar typically rises after meals even in healthy people, although it soon returns to normal in these cases. Something that can lower blood sugar levels after meals is interesting because it helps people control this variable over time and live a healthier life.”

It also lessens the risk of developing insulin resistance, considered a driver of metabolic syndrome. When blood sugar spikes often, the pancreas produces too much insulin and the body stops responding to it. Type 2 diabetes isn’t usually far behind.

A local source of phenols and fiber

The good news is that you don’t have to travel to the Brazilian rainforest to find a berry that’s packed with phenolic compounds and fiber like the Jaboticaba berry.

In fact, those compounds, including anthocyanins (potent antioxidant pigments that give  berries their color), and their rich levels of fiber is why other berries support metabolic health.

Previous studies have shown people who consume the most anthocyanin-rich foods were least likely to have chronic inflammation — which has long been associated with metabolic syndrome and blood sugar problems.

Berries also contain flavones, also a phenolic compound, shown to improve levels of a protein (adiponectin) which helps regulate a number of metabolic processes including glucose levels.

Look for berries at your local farmer’s markets — along with plenty of other health-promoting fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Or keep frozen berries in your freezer to add to smoothies or yogurt.

Sources:

Jaboticaba peel reduces inflammation and controls blood sugar in people with metabolic syndrome — EurekAlert!